Golden Eagle softball adds three more signees to roster for 2012

Aug 01, 2011

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A pair of junior college sluggers from
Texas and Tennessee, and an in-state power-hitting high school
infielder are Tennessee Tech softball coach Tory Acheson’s
recent signees who will begin their Golden Eagle careers this
year.

The Golden Eagle newcomers are Emily Burch, an infielder from
North Richland Hills, Texas, who spent the past two seasons at
McClennan (Texas) Community College, Hannah Eldridge, a middle
infielder from Fayetteville, Tenn., and Katie Pierce, an outfielder
from Pulaski, Tenn., who played two years at Wallace State (Ala.)
Community College.

The trio joins four other Golden Eagle additions who inked in
the fall signing period.

“We’re really excited to add these three players at
this time of the year,” Acheson said. “Coming off the
season we had last spring, we felt it was important to try to
change the dynamics of our team, and these three will come in and
have a chance to compete for a spot right away, and a chance to
improve our program.”

Emily Burch is the daughter of Kenneth and Darlene Burch
and plans to major in secondary education. In the Top 10 percent of
her high school class, she was a four-time Academic All-District in
softball and Academic All-State during her one season of
basketball. She graduated from Richland High School in 2009 and has
spent the past two years at McClennan (Texas) Community
College.

A four-year starter on the high school diamond for coach Kathy
Patke, Burch played both first and third base, and also pitched for
the Rebels A three-time team RBI leader, she was also named
first-team All-District 5-5A all three seasons. She wrapped up her
prep career with a .431 batting average and 38 RBI.

She played the last two seasons for coach Manuel Ordones at
McClennan, helping captures the 2010 conference championship and
2011 regional title. She was named to the conference’s
All-Academic team both years, as well as first-team
all-conference.

She hit .331 as a freshman with 34 RBI, 14 doubles and 43 runs
scored. As a sophomore, she hit .317, scored 34 runs and had 31
RBI.

“Emily was a player we were interested in coming out of
high school, but the timing wasn’t right.” Acheson
said. “We’re happy that she remained interested in us
while taking the time to improve her game. She’s a very
strong player who has a chance to compete for a spot in the infield
this year. She will give us a lot of versatility.”

Hannah Eldridge is the daughter of Chuck and MaDonna
Eldridge and a 2011 graduate of Lincoln County High School. Like
Burch, she also plans to major in secondary education. She is a
second-cousin of current Golden Eagle basketball standout Molly
Heady.

Eldridge played second base and shortstop for coach Troy Smith,
and also pitched for the Falcons. She was a four-time all-district
selection and three-time team MVP. She posted the
team’s top batting average each of the past three years, was
twice named all-Mid-State and was crowned the 2011 Elk Valley Times
Female Athlete of the Year. In July she was named to the Tennessee
Sports Writers Association Class AAA first-team All-State team.

With Eldridge in the lineup, Lincoln County claimed back-to-back
district titles. They won the 2011 Region 4AAA crown when she
delivered an eighth inning walk-off grand slam. As a senior she
helped the team post a 42-10 record while compiling a lofty .439
batting average with 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 47 runs scored and a
.835 slugging percentage. She hit two home runs four times in
2011.

“Hannah is a tremendous athlete with unlimited
potential,” Acheson said. “She’s coming off a
very successful high school career and being named all-state is
quite an honor for her. There’s no doubt she’s going to
compete for a spot in the infield right away this year. She’s
a very strong hitter, a strong student, and we’re excited to
have her join us.”

Katie Pierce is the daughter of Dennis and Margaret
Pierce and will enroll in biology. She is a 2009 graduate of
Richland High School and played the past to years at Wallace State
Community College where the team was NJCAA national runnerup in
2010 and posted a two-year mark of 114-23.

As a freshman at Wallace State under coach Jayne Clem, Pierce hit
.333 with 16 stolen bases and was named Louisville Slugger/NFCA
All-America and first-team NJCAA All-South. Her sophomore season
yielded a .328 average with seven doubles, three triples and 16
stolen bases. She was named All-ACCC and Region 22
second-team.

A versatile athlete, Pierce lettered in soccer, basketball and
softball at Richland High School. A four-year starter on the
softball diamond for coach Rickey Taylor, she was a three-time
all-district selection, while graduating eighth in her class.

“Katie had a great career at Wallace State, and they are a
perennial Top 10 junior college program,” Acheson said.
“She’s another player we were interested in coming out
of high school. She’s really worked hard at Wallace State.
She’s a well-rounded, very complete player and she will
challenge for a spot in the outfield.”